Risky-Shift Effect

The risky-shift effect is a social psychological term. It refers to the observed tendency of people to make more daring decisions when they are in groups than when they are alone. This phenomenon explains how riots and gang violence start; from choices and actions that a person would probably never take on their own but are willing to take as part of a group. This is related to the concept of deindividuation which is when individuals in groups lose their self - identity which can lead to a loss of restraint and self-awareness.